The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, August 27, 1980, Image 45
(JSC football 1980
The yeai
By Mike Chibbaro
Sport* Editor
Before the start of the 1979 football season, USC football
promoters popularized the slogan, "This Is Next Year."
As it turned out, 1979 was "next year" for Gamecock
football as Coach Jim Carlen's squad had its best season
ever. They won eight games for the first time in USC football
history and made an appearance in a post-season bowl game.
The 1979 Gamecocks finished the season ranked 16th in the
nation while competing against the NCAA's second toughest
schedule.
Un.nnrt 1 ---? ?
naviug atmcvCTj uuii figiii-wm muesione last season, the
1980 Gamecocks are now faced with the challenges of "the
'We are more talented this year than
we were last year.'
Jim Carlen
year after next year." With 28 lettermen and 13 starters
returning from last year's 8-4 squad, 1980 has all the earmarkings
of another "next year" for USC football.
When Coach Carlen arrived on the USC campus in 1974,
Gamecock fans learned very quickly that he was a "tell-itlike-it-is"
kind of guy. He wasn't and still isn't prone to offer
any unfounded praise for his team. He spoke the truth.
Sometimes the truth hurt.
dpdadr acht vr anto ? ^?i? 1
uua vf>?b unoi x E</ii\ a u^iiiii^ game, v^anen surprisea
many people as he spoke optimistically about the upcoming
season. He said his team would be good and they were.
This year, Carlen is once again optimistic. But perhaps
more importantly, Carlen is realistic.
"We are more talented this year than we were last year,"
Carlen said while watching his team go through an afternoon
workout. "I am optimistic about the season, but I also have
to be realistic and realize that we are going to miss the
leadership that our seniors gave us last year.
"We have a very tough road schedule this year. We play
four teams (Southern Cal, Michigan, Georgia, Clemson) on
1 1 - A * * -
uie roau mai are especially tougn to play against at their
places," Carlen said. "I'm not sure how some of our young
kids are going to react to that kind of pressure on the road."
In retrospect, Carlen compared last year with the upcoming
season. "In 1979, we needed to know how good of a
football team we were. That hurt us in the first game,
because we tried to do too many things. Now we are more
aware of what we can do.
"I think there's a difference in attitude this year. We're
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Running back Johnnie Wright (36) wiii return to the
Gamecock back field this fall.
r after 'Nt
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not a bunch of talk, it's just that we know more about oui
selves."
CARLEN SAID HE doesn't feel any added pressure as
result of last year's success. "I don't let people's opinion
dictate how much pressure is on our football team," Carle
explained. "The fans aren't aware of how hard we work an
of all the things that go into winning football games."
The majority of the Gamecocks' youth this season will b
on the defensive squad. Tackle Chuck Allen is the onl
returning member of the defensive line. Carlen said he wa
pleased with the progress the defensive line has i
practice this year, but he added, "we need to make som
improvements in our reserve defensive line."
Senior Ed Baxley will lead the linebacking corps
Sophomore J.D. Fuller is expected to start alongside Ltaxlej
while Walt Kater will be the top reserve at that position.
The secondary is by far the most experienced area of th
Gamecock defense, with three starters, Pat Bowen, Robei
Perlotte, and Mark Bridges, returning.
Offensively, the Gamecocks should be awesome. Carle
admitted that this is the best overall offensive squad he ha
had at USC.
Leading the offensive attack is probably the best pair c
running backs in the nation: George Rogers and Johnni
Wright. Rogers, referred to by Carlen as "the best colleg
riinninrr Koolr ? -? r ? u: ? f' 1
inning uuvn in me iioi.iv/ii, iciuiiis iui ins inicti season 3S
Gamecock. The 6-2 220-pound back rushed for 1,681 yard
this past season to become the all-time leading rusher a
use.
ROGERS HAS BEEN named to many pre season A1
American squad and is one of the leading candidates for thi
year's Heisman Trophy.
Wright returns to the Gamecock backfield after recoverin
from a knee injury which sidelined him for the entire 197
season. In his first two seasons at USC, Wright rushed fo
over 1200 yards.
This season, Wright will move to the fullback slot; a mov
which Carlen feels will benefit the 6-1 205-pound back. "Th
pro scouts will tell you that he (Wright) is a better fullback,
Itll- I ? 1 > - *
vouch uuicu. nc nas gwu nisiae moves ana ne is an ej
cellent blocker. We had planned to move him to fullback la;
year before he got hurt.''
VETERAN SIGNAL-CALLER Garry Harper will hand]
the quarterbacking chores once again. Despite th
Gamecock's affinity with the running game last year, Harpc
still managed to pass for 929 yards and complete 51 percent <
his passes.
Opening the holes for Rogers and company will be an ej
Berson confide
By Richard Meyers for Victor Wikstrom and Ai
Kramer to supply offensiv
Assistant Sport# Editor punch Wikstrom is
Carolina's soccer team transfer from Norway wh
kicks off its third year of "is going to ^ an e>
nlnu nAvt uioaIt aiminrt fr?r- ?
t?j r, cepuonai piayer accorain
another NCAA playoff bid Berson. Kramer is
despite having only three sophomore transfer fror
starters return from last Meramec Communit
season s squad. College in St. Louis, Mo.
I m very optimistic about The defense will be keye
this year, said Head Coach by senior John Tremont.
Mark Berson. "We have Two year starter Bo
more talent and depth than Westin, Mike Devine an
we have ever had before.
There is no doubt in my mind
we have the potential to be
the best team we've ever
had. But potential is just
something vou nut down on
paper." (
Eight starters from the <***"* ]jr
1979 team, which finished J
with a 14-5 mark and was 3
ranked 16th in the nation late .<W
in the season, have departed. V
Only two of the team's top J? # V
six point producers remain. J|&i
The loss of all time la&BBt
Gamecock scoring leader
Brian Winstead may force John Nitardy will probablj
Berson to rely on a more see considerable playinj
balanced scoring attack. time on the back line.
"David Goodrhilri r*hri? " Ir?hn Tromnnf i? cmintf ti
Heidelberger and Eddie be the steading anchor for u
Fuchs are going to be in the back," Berson said,
counted on to score for us," "He's a definite All
Berson said. Goodchild (5 American candidate."
goals, 4 assists) and
Heidelberger (6 goals, 1 The goalie spot will be th
assists) are both big question mark for th
sophomores. Fuchs sat out team. Paul Turin, wh
1979 with a thigh injury. He recorded seven shutouts am
tallied nine goals and nine allowed an average of les
assists for USC in 1978. than one goal a game will no
be back in the nets thi
BERSON IS ALSO looking season.
J T 9
5xi i ear
:'<wH MsmsmSSSMn
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e y?,/y; MIHK, 3" '
e Heisman Trophy candidate George Rogers and head
a football coach Jim Car/en discuss the upcoming
s season. (Photo by John Parnell).
it
perienced offensive line. Five starters return from last
year's offensive line, including two of the nation's best tight
I- ends: Willie Scott and Ben Cornett.
s Gone from last year's squad is versatile flanker Zion
McKinney. Trying to fill his shoes at that position this year
g will be Tim Gillespie and Horace Smith.
9 Cayce native Eddie Leopard will handle the place-kicking
r duties for the Gamecocks, while walk-on John Tanner will be
kicking off. Perhaps the biggest question mark for the
e Gamecocks this fall has been at punting position. Freshman
e Chris Norman appears to have the inside track on that job.
So it is with optimistic realism that Jim Carlen is greeting
c- the 1980 football season. As Carlen spoke about the upcoming
it campaign, one could sense a more relaxed and cordial Jim
Parlon P - l n - * *
. v> Ulv ?ioi nine 111 c* lung wmic, inc Ainieuc
le Department is free from controversy. The Athletic
te Department is now a more unified organization.
;r At last, Carlen can relax a little and enjoy the results of five
>f years of hard work. As indicated by last season, Carlen has
succeeded in building another winning football program. He
c- brought USC "next year."
nt despite youth
t Senior Joel Schmiedeke will challenge foe the NCAA
e and newcomers Gary Durkin bid from the South and
a and Glen Thompson are possibly by the end of the
o competing for the position, season, a team that will be in
"Joel has a little bit of an the top twenty."
g upper hand based on his The Gamecocks open the
a experience," Berson ad- season with a contest versus
n mitted. "But the job is still Western Carolina, the first o!
y up for grabs. One of these ten home games. Of USC's
three players is going to 19 opponents, only two teams
d have to take charge and nail had losing records (Western
down that position." Carolina and Baptist
o THE SQUAD is short on College) and two teams are
d experience with only three in their first year (USC'We
have more talent and depth
than we have ever had before. There
is no doubt in my mind that we have
the potential to be the best team
we've ever had.'
Mark Berson
/ seniors. "We lost eight of Spartanburg and Wake
I eleven starters and we have Forest).
a lot of replacing to do. This Four of USC's opponents
[) group is enthusiastic, were ranked in the top
s talented, but green," Berson twenty sometime during last
said. year. SIU-Edwardsville
"Last year, we felt going reached number one,
into the season we had all Clemson was number two,
cards on the table. This Indiana occupied the sixth
v yrar, 11 s ukp piaying position and Hartwick was
e soiitaire-we don't know what number 12.
o any card will be until we turn All home games will be
d it over. But that makes it fun played at the USC soccer
s and challenging. field, known as "The
it "Our goal is to be a team Graveyard", located at
s that will be a regional power Hey ward and Sumter
and contender. A team that streets.